Marine power pod

ABSTRACT

The device comprises a power pod or enclosure housing a marine drive. The pod comprises a streamlined housing extending directly from the hull of the ship. This houses either a single or a double prop drive. In the double prop drive, the props are positioned both fore and aft of the pod. The props are driven by short shafts extending into the pod and supported by suitable bearings. Each shaft is driven by a gear belt drive from the hull just above the pod. The power supply is adjacent this point. This materially reduces the length of the drive shaft and thus reduces noise and vibration. Furthermore, after the prop is removed, a boot can be placed over the outside of the shaft and bearing, allowing the shaft and associated bearings and drive mechanism to be withdrawn into the hull directly from the pod. Repairs and adjustments can be quickly and easily be made inboard. The drive can thus be repaired, adjusted, or otherwise reached from the inside of the hull and even while the ship is in motion.

Unite States Patent 461 Water s:.', Warren, R.I. 02885 Assistant Examiner-Cari A Rutledge prises a power pod or enclosure e pod comprises a streamlined housing a marine drive, Th

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H .m m B e b n m an Sn ma c e WW .1 u rr Wi dci PATENTED JUN 1 5 l97| SHEET 2 [1F 3 MARINE POWER POD My present invention relates to marine power plants and more particularly to a novel construction of a power drive pod.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a housing or p d which is mounted directly under the hull of a vessel for housing the power drive unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power pod for the drive mechanism of a vessel which permits withdrawal and repair of the power drive shafts and bearings inwardly into the hull of the vessel directly from the pod.

A further object of the present invention is to produce a power enclosure or pod which materially shortens the length of the drive shafts and thus reduces noise, vibration, and wear.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power pod which extends from the hull of the vessel and is in communication therewith so that the various parts of the drive unit can readily be reached from inside the hull rather than by divers on the outside.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a power pod and drive associated therewith which is fairly simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of the hull of a vessel having a single and a double prop power pod of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section of the hull shown in FIG. 1 taken on line 2-2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, showing a power pod with a single prop drive and a rudder;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a double prop drive;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the single prop drive pod; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse section taken on line 6-6 on FIG. 5.

In conventional inboard marine power drive units the drive shaft is usually elongated and extends at an angle downwardly from the hull with suitable support bearings along the way. This elongated shaft has long been a source of trouble in that it develops vibration, strain and wear on the bearings. Adjustments and repairs are often made under water by divers, or the vessel is placed on drydock. Attempts have been made to overcome these defects in some installations by positioning a power drive unit in an enclosed housing suspended beneath the hull of the vessel and carrying the necessary prop. A drive shaft is then extended downwardly through a pipe into the housing from a power unit positioned in the hull just above the housing. This materially shortens the drive shaft and provides for a smoother running power package. However, in the event of trouble, the entire unit must be brought up for repairs or the repairs must be made by a diver.

The present invention is designed to overcome all of the above defects. In accordance with the present invention 1 provide a power pod which is not suspended from the hull, but extends directly from it. The power pod of the present invention therefore is open at the top in direct communication with the interior of the hull. The power supply is in the hull and the drive unit extends downwardly into the pod where provision can easily be made for a single or a double prop drive. All portions of the drive mechanism, including the shaft, are readily available from the inside of the hull. In accordance with the present invention, the prop is the only unit which must be reached from the outside. Repairs and adjustments can therefore be made inboard and can be made quickly and easily. Where a vessel is being propelled by a plurality of such pods, one of them can be placed out of service and repaired even while the vessel is in motion.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a hull 10 having a pair of offset power pods 11 and 12. These pods are normally provided in balancing pairs, one on each side of the hull. The illustrated hull 10 therefore has four pods. The pod 11 is illustrated as having a single prop I3 forwardly of the unit. The pod may be provided with a rudder 14 aft of the unit. The pod 12 is illustrated as a double ended drive unit having a prop 15 at the forward end and a prop 16 at the rear. As can be seen in FIG. 2, each pod is powered with its own engine and each pod opens upwardly into the hull 10 so that all the parts are available from the inside of the hull. It should be noted that it is preferable that the pod be tapered or streamlined to cut down the drag in the water. Also, the pods can be positioned above the keel to permit a shallow draft.

FIG. 3 illustrates generally the construction of the unit 11 shown in FIG. 1. The power pod 11 comprises a tapered housing 17 having a reinforced front end 18 supporting the front bearing 19 through which the drive shaft 20 extends. The prop 21 is mounted in a conventional manner at the end of the shaft 20. A pair of supports 22 extend from the pod 11 upwardly into the hull and are surmounted by spaced bearings 23. A shaft 24 is mounted in the bearings 23 and extends to a flexible coupling and and engine (not shown).

The shaft 24 is connected by a gear belt drive 25 with the shaft 20 so that the drive is from the engine to a flexible coupling, then to the shaft 24 and through the gear belt drive 25 to the shaft 20, driving the prop 21. In this form, there is also a rudder 14 mounted at the rear of the pod 11 and also controlled inboard through a control bar 26. Thus, with the short drive shaft 20 driving the prop 21, and the open pod into the hull 10, all the parts except the prop are available from inside ofthe hull 10.

Similarly the pod 12 is illustrated in FIG. 4 as having a streamlined housing 27 with a reinforced front end 28 in which the bearing 29 is mounted. The bearing 29 supports the shaft 30 which drives the forward prop 15. An identical unit is positioned aft of the housing 27 in which the bearing 31 supports the shaft 32 for driving the prop 16. Both shafts 30 and 32 are driven from identical drive units.

The front drive unit comprises a pair of supported bearings 33 supporting the drive shaft 345, driven by a flexible coupling and engine. The shaft 34 drives the shaft 30 through a gear belt drive arrangement 35. The rear drive assembly similarly provides spaced bearings 36 supporting the shaft 37 driven by a flexible coupling and engine drive unit. The shaft 37 drives the shaft 32 through the gear belt drive assembly 38. While the power drive units for driving the shafts 34 and 37 are indicated and illustrated as being separate engine units, it is obvious that both units can be driven from a single engine.

The details which permit the easy assembly and disassembly of the drive units in the pods are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Referring to these figures, it will be noted that the housing 17 extends upwardly into the hull opening a short distance and that a separate supporting and stiffening strip 39 is welded to the hull 10 and sidewalls 17 around the periphery of the pod at the hull opening. The front bearing 29 is of the sleeve-type with the sleeve insert 40 on the inside and an outer insert 41 at the outside. The shaft 20 is provided with a conventional tapered end 42 onwhich the prop 21, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5, is mounted. The rear end of the shaft 20 is also tapered. It is supported in a vertical reinforcing wall 43 which is provided with an annular opening 44 in which a reinforcing annular plate 45 is welded. Extending upwardly from the central bearing opening in the plate 45 is a slot 46 for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

Any suitable type of bearing may be used. In the illustrated form I use a double roller bearing 47 positioned in a housing 43 and closed at the rear by a plate 49. The rear end of the shaft 20 is tapered at 50 and the bearing 47 seats on the tapered end 50. The assembly is held on the shaft by a large bolt 51 having a collar which bears against the plate 49 on the housing 48 to hold the bearing on the shaft. The entire assembly is then locked to the supporting plate 45 by means ofa plurality of bolts 52 arranged annularly around the outer perimeter of the plate 53 which is welded around the housing 48. The plate 53 is thus bolted to the plate 45 oflock the bearing housing 48 to the supporting wall 43.

With the above arrangement, the drive shaft 20 is now locked against axial movement between the supporting bearings 29 at the front and 47 at the rear. Intermediate the ends, the shaft 20 is provided with a large cylindrical gear 54 keyed to the shaft at 55. The gear 54 is driven by a gear belt drive 25 mounted on the drive shaft 24 in the hull. It should be noted that the support 22 to the left in FIG. is an extension of the supporting wall 43 in the pod. A splash guard 56, shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 5 and 6, may be positioned over the upwardly extending gear belt drive arrangement.

Now if repairs are needed on the drive mechanism hereinabove described, it is merely necessary to remove the prop 21 and to place an insulating water tight boot 57 over the end of the shaft 20. The boot 57 is designed to fit snugly over a flange 58 extending from around the bearing 29. The boot 57 may be made of rubber, plastic, or any other suitable water tight material. Now, when the shaft is pulled inwardly into the pod, the boot 57 will prevent the water from entering the pod through the bearing 29.

To remove the shaft 20 for repairs, adjustment, or any other reason, it is merely necessary to remove the bolt 51 at the rear end of the shaft. The bolts 52 are now removed and this frees the bearing housing 48 from the plate 45 and the shaft 20. The entire bearing and housing 48 can now be pulled from the tapered end 50 of the shaft 20 and completely removed from the pod through the top opening. The gear belt drive is opened in the conventional manner and removed from the gear 54. The shaft 20 can now be pulled into the pod, the boot 57 preventing the water from entering. The shaft is pulled rearwardly through the opening 44 with the gear 54 passing through the opening as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5. After the gear 54 has cleared the gear opening, the shaft is moved upwardly into the slot 46, also as shown in dotted lines. As it is tilted into this position, the front end of the shaft will be clear of the bearing 29 and the entire shaft 20 can be turned upwardly and out of the pod and into the hull 10.

After the necessary adjustments and repairs have been made, the entire operation is reversed, the shaft 20 being moved downwardly through the slot 46 into the position shown in FIG. 5.'The boot is then removed and the prop 21 placed back into position. In the meanwhile the bearing housing 48 can be slipped back on to the tapered end 50 of the shaft and bolts 51 and 52 placed back in position to lock the assembly together. The gear belt drive 25 can then be looked over the gear 54 and the drive is now completely reassembled.

It should be noted that the rear wall 59 of the pod is positioned approximately where a second supporting wall would be positioned in the from shown in FIG. 4. This allows just enough room for manipulating the shaft through the slot 46 so that it can be sipped out of the pod in a short arc as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, viewing FIG. 4, the shafts and 32 shown therein in axial alignment can each be pulled inwardly initially towards the other shaft and then upwardly through the slots in the supporting wall portions so that both shafts are pulled upwardly between the supporting walls and up out of the pod between the drive mechanisms.

The construction shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is thus duplicated to form the pod 27 shown in FIG. 4. This provides a double prop drive one fore and one aft. In either construction, the removal of the driven shaft, rear bearing, and the drive mechanism can be easily and readily accomplished in a small area. This keeps the size of the pod to a minimum required to house the shaft, bearings, and drive.

The pod opens directly into the hull and therefore all adjustments and repairs can be made at a convenient inboard shop. By placing the engine drive mechanism in close proximity to the gear belt drive 25, vibration and wear on the bearings resulting from the conventional elongated drive shafts are greatly reduced. Also, by positioning the pods ll and 12 as shown in FIGS. l and 2 on each side of the hull, the entire drive is located above the keel allowing for shallow water operations. I

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

Iclaim:

l. A marine power unit comprising a streamlined pod extending from beneath the hull of a vessel, said pod having an open top communicating wit the inside of the hull, a driven shaft mounted horizontally in said pod and having one end extending therefrom, a prop mounted on the extended end of said driven shaft, a drive shaft mounted in said hull above said pod opening and connected to a source of power, and drive means between said drive and driven shafts whereby rotation of said drive shaft will cause rotation of said driven shaft and prop, said pod having an intermediate vertical supporting wall, a fixed bearing in the outside wall for supporting the front extending end of said driven shaft, a removable roller bearing mounted in said supporting wall for supporting the rear end of said driven shaft, and a slot extending vertically from said removable bearing in said supporting wall.

2. A power unit as in claim 1, wherein said driven shaft, roller bearing and drive means are removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening, said slot permitting said driven shaft to be turned upwardly in a short arc to allow for withdrawal of said driven shaft in a minimum of space.

3. A power unit as in claim 2, wherein said extended portion of said driven shaft is surrounded by an exterior collar on said pod, and a water proof boot adapted to be mounted over the extended end of said driven shaft on said collar after said prop has been removed from said shaft preparatory to removing said driven shaft from said pod.

4. A power unit as in claim I, wherein said drive means comprises a gear on said drive shaft, a complementary gear on said driven shaft, and a drive gear belt connecting said gears.

5. A marine power unit comprising a streamlined pod extending from beneath the hull of a vessel, said pod having an open top communicating with the inside of the hull, a driven shaft mounted horizontally in said pod and having one end extending therefrom, a prop mounted on the extended end of said driven shaft, a drive shaft mounted in said hull above said pod opening and connected to a source of power, drive means between said drive and driven shafts whereby rotation of said drive shaft will cause rotation of said driven shaft and prop, said pod having an intermediate vertical supporting wall, a fixed bearing in the outside wall for supporting the front extending end of said driven shaft, and a removable roller bearing mounted in said supporting wall for supporting the rear end of said driven shaft, said removable bearing mounting including a bearing opening in said supporting wall, a housing for said removable bearing having a flange, said flange being removably bolted to said supporting wall around said bearing opening, and a flanged bolt at the end of said driven shaft for retaining said bearing housing on said driven shaft.

6. A power unit as in claim 5, wherein said supporting wall is provided with a slot extending vertically from said bearing opening.

7. A power unit as in claim 6, wherein said driven shaft, roller bearing and drive means are removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening, said slot permitting said driven shaft to be turned upwardly in a short are to allow for withdrawal of said driven shaft in a minimum of space.

8. A power unit as in claim 7, wherein said drive means comprises a gear on said drive shaft, a complementary gear on said driven shaft, and a drive gear belt connecting said gears.

9. A power unit as in claim 7, wherein said pod is provided with a second driven shaft in axial alignment with said driven shaft, said second driven shaft extending from said pod opposite the extended portion of said driven shaft, a second prop on the extended end of said second driven shaft, a second drive shaft mounted in said hull in axial alignment with said drive shaft, and a second drive means similar to said drive means connecting said second drive shaft and said second driven shaft.

10. A powered unit as in claim 5, wherein said driven shaft, roller bearing and drive means are removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening.

1]. A power unit as in claim 10, wherein said extended portion of said driven shaft is surrounded by an exterior collar on said pod, and a water proof boot adapted to be mounted over the extended end of said driven shaft on said collar after said prop has been removed from said shaft preparatory to removing said driven shaft from said pod.

12. A marine power unit comprising a streamlined pod extending from beneath the hull of a vessel, said pod having an open top communicating with the inside of the hull, a driven shaft mounted horizontally in said pod and having one end extending therefrom, a prop mounted on the extended end of said driven shaft, a drive shaft mounted on said hull above said pod opening and connected to a source of power, drive means between said drive and driven shafts whereby rotation of said drive shaft will cause rotation of said driven shaft and prop,

said driven shaft and drive means being removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening, said extended portion of said driven shaft being surrounded by an exterior collar on said pod, and a water proof boot adapted to be mounted over the extended end of said driven shaft on said collar after said prop has been removed from said shaft preparatory to removing said driven shaft from said pod.

13. A power unit as in claim 11, wherein said pod is provided with an intermediate vertical supporting wall, a fixed bearing in the outside wall for supporting the front extending end of said driven shaft, and a removable roller bearing mounted in said supporting wall for supporting the rear end of sad driven shaft.

14. A power unit as in claim 12, wherein said drive means comprises a gear on said drive shaft, a complementary gear on said driven shaft, and a drive gear belt connecting said gears. 

1. A marine power unit comprising a streamlined pod extending from beneath the hull of a vessel, said pod having an open top communicating wit the inside of the hull, a driven shaft mounted horizontally in said pod and having one end extending therefrom, a prop mounted on the extended end of said driven shaft, a drive shaft mounted in said hull above said pod opening and connected to a source of power, and drive means between said drive and driven shafts whereby rotation of said drive shaft will cause rotation of said driven shaft and prop, said pod having an intermediate vertical supporting wall, a fixed bearing in the outside wall for supporting the front extending end of said driven shaft, a removable roller bearing mounted in said supporting wall for supporting the rear end of said driven shaft, and a slot extending vertically from said removable bearing in said supporting wall.
 2. A power unit as in claim 1, wherein said driven shaft, roller bearing and drive means are removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening, said slot permitting said driven shaft to be turned upwardly in a short arc to allow for withdrawal of said driven shaft in a minimum of space.
 3. A power unit as in claim 2, wherein said extended portion of said driven shaft is surrounded by an exterior collar on said pod, and a water proof boot adapted to be mounted over the extended end of said driven shaft on said collar after said prop has been removed from said shaft preparatory to removing said driven shaft from said pod.
 4. A power unit as in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a gear on said drive shaft, a complementary gear on said driven shaft, and a drive gear belt connecting said gears.
 5. A marine power unit comprising a streamlined pod extending from beneath the hull of a vessel, said pod having an open top communicating with the inside of the hull, a driven shaft mounted horizontally in said pod and having one end extending therefrom, a prop mounted on the extended end of said driven shaft, a drive shaft mounted in said hull above said pod opening and connected to a source of power, drive means between said drive and driven shafts whereby rotation of said drive shaft will cause rotation of said driven shaft and prop, said pod having an intermediate vertical supporting wall, a fixed bearing in the outside wall for supporting the front extending end of said driven shaft, and a removable roller bearing mounted in said supporting wall for supporting the rear end of said driven shaft, said removable bearing mounting including a bearing opening in said supporting wall, a housing for said removable bearing having a flange, said flange being removably bolted to said supporting wall around said bearing opening, and a flanged bolt at the end of said driven shaft for retaining said bearing housing on said driven shaft.
 6. A power unit as in claim 5, wherein said supporting wall is provided with a slot extending vertically from said bearing opening.
 7. A power unit as in claim 6, wherein said driven shaft, roller bearing and drive means are removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening, said slot permitting said driven shaft to be turned upwardly in a short arc to allow for withdrawal of said driven shaft in a minimum of space.
 8. A power unit as in claim 7, wherein said drive means comprises a gear on said drive shaft, a complementary gear on said driven shaft, and a drive gear belt connecting said gears.
 9. A power unit as in claim 7, wherein said pod is provided with a second driven shaft in axial alignment with said driven shaft, said second driven shaft extending from said pod opposite the extended portion of said driven shaft, a second prop on the extended end of said second driven shaft, a second drive shaft mounted in said hull in axial alignment with said drive shaft, and a second drive means similar to said drive means connecting said second drive shaft and said second driven shaft.
 10. A powered unit as in claim 5, wherein said driven shaft, roller bearing and drive means are removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening.
 11. A power unit as in claim 10, wherein said extended portion of said driven shaft is surrounded by an exterior collar on said pod, and a water proof boot adapted to be mounted over the extended end of said driven shaft on said collar after said prop has been removed from said shaft preparatory to removing said driven shaft from said pod.
 12. A marine power unit comprising a streamlined pod extending from beneath the hull of a vessel, said pod having an open top communicating with the inside of the hull, a driven shaft mounted horizontally in said pod and having one end extending therefrom, a prop mounted on the extended end of said driven shaft, a drive shaft mounted on said hull above said pod opening and connected to a source of power, drive means between said drive and driven shafts whereby rotation of said drive shaft will cause rotation of said driven shaft and prop, said driven shaft and drive means being removable from said pod into said hull through said top opening, said extended portion of said driven shaft being surrounded by an exterior collar on said pod, and a water proof boot adapted to be mounted over the extended end of said driven shaft on said collar after said prop has been removed from said shaft preparatory to removing said driven shaft from said pod.
 13. A power unit as in claim 11, wherein said pod is provided with an intermediate vertical supporTing wall, a fixed bearing in the outside wall for supporting the front extending end of said driven shaft, and a removable roller bearing mounted in said supporting wall for supporting the rear end of sad driven shaft.
 14. A power unit as in claim 12, wherein said drive means comprises a gear on said drive shaft, a complementary gear on said driven shaft, and a drive gear belt connecting said gears. 